Report from the TASFAA State President
Nancy M. Beverly

My year serving as TASFAA President is almost coming to an end. It is amazing how fast the year has gone by. My Mother always said “the older one gets the faster time will pass by.” Instead I would say, “the busier one is the faster time will pass by.” It has been said the older one gets life slows down, but in some cases just the opposite seems to occur. The older one gets the busier life seems to be.

TASFAA has experienced a great year with many thanks due to the board members and committee members. All of these folks have done a superb job in their respective roles. One more time, I wish to express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve TASFAA as President. I have a true love for this association and this year has provided me the opportunity to development stronger leadership capabilities and to grow professionally. Thank you TASFAA members for electing me for the position of TASFAA President!

Following are some highlights from TASFAA’s year:

Both the Fall Conference, Solving the Mysteries of Financial Aid, under the leadership of Joanie Walker, Vanderbilt University, and the Spring Conference, TASFAA - the Winning Ticket, under the leadership of Jeanne Stewart, South College, were huge successes.

The Association Governance Committee, chaired by Crusie Lucero, Northeast State Community College, has reviewed and updated the TASFAA Policies and Procedures Manual. The goal is to present the final copy to the TASFAA Board(s), both current and new, at the TASFAA Transition Meeting to be held in June 2004 at University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

The TASFAA Financial Aid Awareness Committee, chaired by Debby Nuchols, SunTrust bank, held TASFAA’s annual public awareness broadcast, Funding Your Future: Financial Aid for Students. WETP/WSJK Public TV out of Knoxville, TN produced the broadcast. The broadcast included a panel of financial aid administrators and representatives from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation who discussed types of financial available to students and a review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A toll free number was provided for viewers to call in and ask questions and/or request a financial aid packet of information. The broadcast was a huge success!

TASFAA offered the NASFAA Decentralized Training in East, Middle, and West Tennessee during the month of February. Clyde Walker, Vanderbilt University, served as the trainer for these workshops. Clyde Walker, Trainer, the TASFAA District Chairs and the TASFAA Training Chair, Janette Overton, Johnson Bible College coordinated the workshops.

The TASFAA District Chairs have offered three to four district meetings in their respective areas. These meetings consisted of topics such as, financial aid awareness, the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program(s), the 2004 Federal Delivery Update, etc. . . .

TASFAA’s internal review of the association’s financial records was completed and resulted in no findings. Thanks to the good work of TASFAA’s Past Treasurer, Bill Grizzard, Sallie Mae.

TASFAA’s Project Development Committee, chaired by Karen Gibson, Edamerica, has worked on a study of salary ranges for various levels of financial aid employment across the state of Tennessee.

TASFAA’s Site Selection Chair, Sandra Rockett, Dyersburg State Community College, has diligently worked this year resulting in TASFAA currently having hotel contracts signed for conferences through spring of 2006. Great job Sandra!

TASFAA has excitedly purchased ATAC, a web-based design product currently being utilized by SASFAA and various state associations. Clyde Walker, Vanderbilt University is leading the action team working on this project. We are in the beginning implementation stages. This will certainly allow TASFAA to serve its membership in more enhanced ways.

TASFAA’s Awards Committee, chaired by Joe Myers, Motlow State Community College, presented a large number of awards to the TASFAA membership during the Spring Conference held in April, Kingsport, TN.

The TASFAA High School Guidance Counselor Internship Committee is currently working to begin this summer program. The training for the counselors is scheduled for June 9 – 11 at Falls Creek Falls State Park. Soon after the training the high school guidance counselors who participate will begin their summer employment in various college and university financial aid offices across the state. Linda Embree, East Tennessee State University, has done a great job chairing this committee.

Approximately 75 TASFAA members attended the SASFAA Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.

Joanie Walker, TASFAA President Elect, is busy planning her upcoming year as TASFAA President. The slate of elected officers for 2004-2005 was listed, within the TASFAA Report, in SASFAA’s April Newsletter. TASFAA is looking forward to yet another great year!

The TASFAA Transition will be held June 16 – 18, University of the South, Sewanee, TN. Some of the highlights will include a motivational speaker and a review of Roberts Rules of Order.

These are only some of the highlights that occurred this year. All of the TASFAA committee chairs, some who may not have been mentioned above, have diligently worked and have made huge contributions and accomplishments to the association.